NJ Launches Opioid Abuse Town Hall

The Knock Out Opioid Abuse Town Hall series is being organized by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, with collaboration from hundreds of local prevention and treatment organizations, as well as local and county law enforcement, government and medical community leaders.

New Jersey has been struggling with an Opioid epidemic with growing numbers of people struggling with heroin as well as other prescription drugs. They will be hosting a series of 17 town hall meetings to provide information to New Jersey residents to help them make better decisions for loved ones and to better understand the link between opioid prescription drug abuse and rising heroin abuse. The town halls will be televised and local residents are encouraged to come out in person to the town halls.

Having a member of your family or another loved one addicted to heroin and opioid prescription drugs can be a devastating problem. You should learn as much as you can. Many times these addictions start out after an accident or other injury that requires a constant stream of painkillers. Knowing more about the link between normal prescription drugs and how it leads to heroin abuse can mean the difference between an addict and just normal use.

If you are ever in doubt that a loved one is abusing drugs, you should get them tested. Having a testing kit on hand you can easily find out if someone is just acting weird or abusing drugs. Don’t be caught unprepared. A few days can be the difference between someone who is getting help vs being in the hospital because of an overdose.